College For The Deaf Suspends Diversity Head For Signing Anti-Gay Petition

Buzzfeed's Chris Geidner reports that Washington DC's Gallaudet University, which serves deaf and hard of hearing students, has suspended its diversity officer for signing the petition to repeal same-sex marriage in Maryland.

Gallaudet University President T. Alan Hurwitz suspended the school's chief diversity officer Wednesday after he was made aware that the diversity office, Dr. Angela McCaskill, had signed the marriage referendum petition in Maryland. In a statement to staff and students of the D.C. university for the deaf and hard of hearing that was sent about noon today, Hurwitz said: "I want to inform the community that I have placed Dr. Angela McCaskill on paid administrative leave effective immediately. It recently came to my attention that Dr. McCaskill has participated in a legislative initiative that some feel is inappropriate for an individual serving as Chief Diversity Officer; however, other individuals feel differently."

The story apparently broke on the blog Planet DeafQueer, who reported:

A Gallaudet faculty member, who at this time wishes to remain anonymous, noticed Dr. McCaskill’s name, address and signature on the anti-gay marriage petition and inquired about it. When confronted by the faculty member, Dr. McCaskill confirmed that she had in fact signed the petition and explained that she had done so while at church, after her preacher had preached against gay marriage. As she was leaving, her husband pointed to the petition and she signed it without giving it further thought.

Planet DeafQueer says that McKaskill is expected to deliver an apology. You can also expect the howls of "homofascism" to erupt across the anti-gay wingnut-o-sphere.